With a healthy sweet tooth, the headline “Krispy Kreme community killer” caught my eye. It was on an editorial Dane Hicks of the Anderson County Review wrote about fundraising techniques. OVER THE years the Register frequently has encouraged shopping at home. The message shouldn’t fall on deaf ears when it comes to the young.
Hicks said school and other youth organizations would be better served to work with local merchants in fundraising projects, rather than fall prey to national groups with flashy brochures and promises of easy profits hawked by silver-tongued flacks.
The message resonated, and more than just because doughnuts were mentioned. I often have thought we’d be better off if kids would find a way to involve local merchants when they go about fundraising. Store owners, who daily face the bottom line, should have opportunities to join in. That might require some innovation, but would be well worth it for all concerned.
Our merchants, as well as most everyone else in town, are receptive when kids come calling for donations. We are appreciative of what our kids want to do to make their lives more fulfilling. Meanwhile, bean-counters in far off metros have only one motive, making a profit.
Many a time I’ve bought cookie dough, over-priced kitchen aids, and other things I really didn’t want because it’s next to impossible to turn down a kid with a fawning look. Occasionally I’ve offered instead to make a donation, though the youngsters usually counter they need to sell what they’re offering — the top “little merchants” get prizes.
The educational journey also would be enhanced by kids working on fundraising from the nuts and bolts of organization as well as actual selling. Afterward they would learn more about math by figuring cost factors and profit margin.
School carnivals and such events are another matter. Who doesn’t salivate at the thought of chicken and noodles? And straight-out solicitation of support for a history club’s trip to Washington or Iola High’s band going to San Antonio cuts to the chase and is just fine.
Fundraisers could spur local shopping
